My thoughts on the Phillies season.

Brad Lidge blows his first save as a Phil, as the Phils fall once again to the Padres, 8-5.

All good things must come to an end, and in the case of Brad Lidge, its his save opportunity streak, which ends at forty-seven regular season saves in a row, as he blows his first save opportunity since coming to the Phils, giving up four runs in the ninth inning, as the Phillies lose to the hot Padres, 8-5.

The Phillies took a quick 1-0 lead in the second, as Raul Ibanez hit a one-out, solo home run, his fourth home run of the year. The Padres would take the lead in the top of the third as Adrian Gonzalez hit a two-out, two-run home run, his fourth home run of the year, knocking in Jody Gerut, who had gotten on base earlier via a strike out-wild pitch by Brett Myers, moved on to second on David Eckstein’s single, and then had gone over to third on Brian Giles’ 4-6-3 double play, with Eckstein being wiped out at second, giving the Padres a 2-1 lead. The Padres increased their lead to 3-1 in the fifth, as Giles hit an RBI double, knocking in Eckstein, who had earlier doubled. Myers would get that run back in the bottom half of the inning, by hitting a lead-off double, going to third on Jimmy Rollins’ fly out to center, and then scoring on a sacrifice fly to center by Shane Victorino, beating out Gerut’s bad throw to the plate, making it a 3-2 Padres’ lead. In the sixth, Ryan Howard would tie the game up at three-all as he hits a lead-off home run, his second home run of the year. The Padres regain the lead in the eighth as Nick Hundley hit an RBI single, scoring Chase Headley, who had earlier walked and had gone on to second on Kevin Kouzmanoff’s single, making it 4-3 Padres. The Phillies would tie the game up at four-all in the bottom of the eighth as Chase Utley hit a lead-off, solo home run, his third home run of the season. The Phillies then took the lead as Pedro Feliz hit a sacrifice fly, knocking in Ibanez, who had earlier singled and had gone over to third on Jayson Werth’s single. The Phils then handed the ball over to Brad Lidge to save the game. Sadly, it was not to be as Lidge gave up a lead-off double to Gerut, who then moved on to third on Eckstein’s ground out, 4-3, for the inning’s first out. Gerut then crossed the plate, tying up the score up at five-all, on a ground out to the right side by Giles, 3-1, for the inning’s second out. Three batters later, the Padres would take the lead again as Kouzmanoff hit a three-run home run, his first home run of the season, knocking in Gonzalez and Headley, who had both gotten on base with walks. In the bottom of the ninth, Heath Bell recorded his seventh save of the year by pitching a 1-2-3 inning, thus handing Lidge his lost as a Phillie pitcher.

Brett Myers got a no-decision, as he pitched a quality start, going six and two-thirds innings, giving up three runs on six hits and four walks, while he struck out six. Scott Eyre pitched a third of an inning, striking out the only man he would face. Ryan Madson pitched an inning, giving up a run on a hit and a walk, while striking out the side. Brad Lidge took the lost as he blew his first save opportunity since joining the Phils, as he gave up four runs on two hits and two walks. His record is now 0-1 with a 9.45 ERA. Chad Durbin pitched a third of an inning, striking out the only man he would face. Shawn Hill also recorded a no-decision as he pitched only five innings, giving up just two runs on three hits and a walk, as he struck out three. Luke Gregerson blew his first save of the year as he gave up a run on one hit, while striking out two, in an inning of work. Edwin Moreno pitched a scoreless inning, as he struck out a batter. Duaner Sanchez blew his first save of the year as he gave up two runs on two hits in one-third of an inning. Cla Meredith picked up the win as he pitched two-thirds of an inning, giving up no runs on one hit. His record is now 3-0 with an 0.00 ERA. Heath Bell recorded his seventh save of the season as he pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning, striking out a batter.

The Phillies got eight hits in the game. Raul Ibanez led the way with two hits, including a solo home run, raising his average to .375. Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth, Pedro Feliz and Brett Myers got the other six hits, with Utley and Howard’s hits being solo home runs, while Rollins and Myers’ hits were doubles. The Phillies other runs came in on sacrifice flies by Shane Victorino and Feliz.

The Phillies (4-6, 4th) will continue their four-games series with the San Diego Padres (9-3, T-1st National League West). The game is presently in progress at Citizens Bank Park. The Phils are sending to the mound Chan Ho Park (0-0, 10.38), who is coming off a no-decision against the Rockies on April 12, where he only went three and one-third innings, giving up five runs on seven hits and three walks, while striking out two, in the Phillies’ 7-5 dramatic come from behind win. He will be trying to improve on his first start. The Padres will send to the mound Josh Geer (0-0, -.–), who is pitching in place of Walter Silva, who is headed for the disabled list. This will be his first start of the season. The Phillies will be trying to win their first game in the weekend series, as they try to stop their three-game losing streak.

Bahahahahahahahahah!!!! I can not believe this. Almost as soon as I write that the Phils needed to rally to win, then they win it on a two-run, walk-off home run by Raul Ibanez with nobody out. Can you believe it!!!!!!

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